Lessons from the Gospel of Luke: Faith in Action

Read Luke 3

Chapter 2 of Luke’s Gospel ends with Mary and Joseph frantically searching for their pre-teen son, who is the Son of God.  I can’t imagine the panic they must have felt!  Ultimately, they found Him right where you would expect Him to be—in the Temple. 

For the next 18 years (approximately), the Scripture is silent concerning the events of Jesus’ life.  I’m sure many of us often wonder what Jesus was like as a child and as a teenager, but that information wasn’t important to His life work, so other than this encounter at the Temple, we know nothing.

Then, as the years pass, we are reintroduced to Jesus’ cousin, John the Baptist—the voice crying in the wilderness.  John preached repentance as he prepared the way for the One whose sandals he was not worthy to untie (Luke 3:16). His message included instructions to share with the needy, do your job well and fairly, and be content with what you have.  For all his efforts, John was ultimately imprisoned by Herod and eventually killed.

Baptism was a key part of John’s ministry, and Christ was only one of the many whom he baptized, although John did so reluctantly.  Jesus’ ministry began that day, and the Trinity confirmed both His identity and His mission. “… the Holy Spirit descended on Him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘… You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased’” (Luke 3:22b NIV84).

Are there life lessons for us in Luke 3?  I think there are at least three.

• Don’t be afraid to speak out against sin, regardless of the consequences.  We live in an age where it’s easier to remain silent than to speak the Truth.  We need boldness like John, even if it costs us our “heads”.

• John made it very clear that we are expected to “produce fruit” in our lives (Luke 3:8).  We need to examine ourselves to see if there is sincere change in our lives, and we can’t produce fruit without staying connected to the Vine.

• Jesus’ life teaches us the patience of waiting.  Jesus very clearly knew His role at age 12 when He conversed with the Religious Leaders, to their amazement.  Yet, He had to wait another 18 years until God’s perfect timing for His mission was revealed.  I’m not good at waiting, but I am quite confident that “wait” is often the message we hear from God.  Remember His timing is always perfect, so be patient!  Stay faithful, keep doing what you are doing, and rest in the assurance that He will direct your paths when His timing is perfect.